Gordon Ramsay aghast at 'Lady Victoria's' treatment at Gjelina
Gjelina is serious about its "no substitutions" policy. Even if you are chef Gordon Ramsay and you're dining with Victoria Beckham. Listen to this story and you can decide whether the restaurant went too far, or whether Beckham was asking for too much:
Ramsay said he was practically speechless -- imagine that -- when he found himself at Gjelina in Venice on Tuesday dining with the heavily pregnant Posh and the waiter wouldn't accommodate her special order. "I couldn't believe it," he said.
Posh is eight months pregnant with her fourth child with soccer great David Beckham, and the couple are close friends with Ramsay. (David Beckham and Ramsay sat together courtside for one of the Lakers-Mavericks games.) Ramsay said that Victoria Beckham ordered the smoked trout salad and asked for it plain, unadorned, with the dressing on the side. According to the menu, the dish is normally served with grapefruit, avocado, red onion and lemon, and that combo was apparently a bit too much for the ready-to-give-birth-at-any-minute Beckham.
The restaurant's response? Ramsay says they refused to make the change.
Speaking with the media on the eve of Season 2 of "MasterChef," which begins Monday night, Ramsay said he had trouble believing that such a simple request was asking too much of the kitchen. What do you think, dear reader? If you are paying good money for your meal, should you be allowed to ask for something on the side? Or does the chef and the restaurant have the right to reject such requests?
"The lady's pregnant!" Ramsay said. "No one is asking to be fussy.... I still think that's the customer's prerogative.... It was a sour note. I don't think customers should be treated that way. That might not be the way I choose to eat it, but that's what the customer wants."
He added that he had an overall positive impression of the restaurant -- "the place is great" -- but added: "I don't know, times are tough out there. You have to show a touch of sensitivity."
Ramsay -- who refers to Victoria Beckham as "Lady Victoria" -- said he did not know who was running the kitchen at the time, or whether chef Travis Lett was in the house.
I contacted Gjelina for their side of the story. When the manager, who identified himself as Fran, came to the phone, I explained why I was calling and asked about the Beckham encounter. There was a long silence, before he said: "So you would like to know about our 'no substitutions' policy?"
Sure, I said, tell me all about the policy.
"It's clearly stated on the menu." And then he added, "Have a nice day," and hung up.
So much for sensitivity.
Gjelina's menu clearly states the following: "Changes & modifications politely declined."
And they are not joking.
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Come to Bouchon in Beverly Hills, we'll do anything for you and I mean ANYTHING you want we'll do it!!!!
Beckhams are regulars and we love them!!!!
Posted by: Joseph | June 03, 2011 at 11:24 AM
Customers these days have a sense of entitlement when they dine in restaurants. It's pathetic sometimes how they behave for a 6 ounce of lettuce and some grapefruit....For gods sake its just a freaking salad. There are lot more bigger problems in the world then that. Get over it.... even if you are Victoria Bechkam
Posted by: victoria2011 | June 03, 2011 at 08:51 AM
The restaurant have shot themselves in the foot - they are going to be missing out on some whopper tips in the future as the Beckhams are known as generous tippers. I think, house rules or not, it is very mean-spirited to not leave some stuff off a dish for a very, VERY pregnant woman. Doesn't matter who she is. Restaurants are taking themselves way too seriously lately. They are mass producing food - not performing a symphony. Are they serving pre-prepared meals there? If not, there is no excuse to refuse to leave stuff off the side. It's so pretentious.
Posted by: Max | June 03, 2011 at 05:56 AM
Important fact: pregnant women are not allowed to eat smoked meats and fish. Smoked foods are technically uncooked and can contain a bacteria that is dangerous for the fetus. Posh was simply following doctor's orders by asking for the fish smoked trout to be removed.
There are a lot of food modifications you need to make when pregnant and you would be surprised how many dishes you are not allowed to eat because they contain one or more of the elements you are asked to avoid. I went to a restaurant when pregnant and couldn't order a single salad because every one of them had either smoked meat, fish, raw egg or some other thing I wasn't allowed to eat.
If this were a non-celebrity I don't think people would be judging her so harshly for asking for this modification.
Posted by: Becky Holland | June 03, 2011 at 05:47 AM
Having worked in or owned restaurants for most of my life, I have to say people generally don't see the invisible diplomatic dance the waiter does between the customer and the cook. As another comment already stated it has to do with the customer and the manner asked. The waiter relays this information along with the request in a few quick words and looks to the cook who makes the decision. If the request comes in the form of a command from Mt. Olympus...well then they rely heavily on what's printed in the menu..a little humility or humanity can go a long way-and lets face it-Posh and Gordon...humility and humanity?-I think not..
Posted by: shannon phillips | June 03, 2011 at 01:48 AM
Read the menu idiots.
Posted by: tank | June 03, 2011 at 12:27 AM
Though i do have to give that server severe credit. I don't think I have it in me to look Gordon Ramsey in the eye and tell him he can't have his fish the way he wants it. :P
Posted by: scotthall - Boise | June 02, 2011 at 10:56 PM
no matter what your 'policy' is, and no matter what you write on your menu, if you are willing to look a customer in the face and tell them that they cannot have a dish different than the way you envisioned it then you do not run a good restaurant. If a customer does not like an item, it does not matter if the item is prepared perfect and the customer is simply feeling 'off' today you take the food back and you get them something else. If you have a signature dish that is pre-prepared, you keep some of it's stocks in case a group comes to eat it and one of them really wants to but needs it slightly different. That way you are not denying service to a customer and making them feel akward and singles out. A huge part of dining is the experience, and being treated well, otherwise we would just cook it ourselves. A good restaraunt puts it's customer's experience, and the serving of good food that is well prepared, above it's ego and it's menu; no matter how popular it is.
Posted by: scotthall - Boise | June 02, 2011 at 10:53 PM
Perhaps Gordon and Miss Vicki weren't recognized.I mean who would not fall all over themselves to wait on the very pregnant Miss Vicki and Gordon the personification of all things elegant iin dining. I wonder had the "owner" been present would they have been more accomodating. I personally love it. Just because "you" think your boo-boo don't stink others may be inclined to disagree. With Gordon's "clout" I wonder if he'll "bad-mouth" the restaurant in an effort to shut them down. Could be rather interesting if the "owner' was there and said "no substitutions." Period. Got that Gordo? All right.
Posted by: blackaren | June 02, 2011 at 08:04 PM
Fran is the owner, not the manager. I eat there regularly and they have never made substitutions for any one at any time. It's probably not the best spot for anyone with dietary restrictions requiring modifications to a dish. I really don't see what all the fuss is about, plenty of places decline substitutions, such as Tasting Kitchen, Father's Office, Lukshon etc.
Posted by: Lavee | June 02, 2011 at 04:22 PM
Can Falkor the Luckdragon, I mean , Victoria Beckham read? I thought English was her first language?
Posted by: youareuniquelikeeveryoneelse@gmail.com | June 02, 2011 at 04:21 PM
"Lady" Victoria should have asked for a plain salad as an extra side then ignored the fish plate components she didn't care to eat.
Clearly, she thinks she is above the rules. "Has-beens" are like that.
Posted by: Allison | June 02, 2011 at 03:45 PM
Gjelina can afford to let go anyone that doesn't like their no sub stipulation, it will leave a possible space for those in the line up out the door. Victoria is not the only celeb that has had a problem, new Venice local Robert Downey Jr refuses to go back after a similar incident with his wife.
Posted by: Evan Calford | June 02, 2011 at 03:01 PM
If the policy is clearly stated on the menu. Then that's, that. If you are not happy with that policy, then go some where else.
Posted by: Chris | June 02, 2011 at 02:37 PM
A no substitution policy simply means that the restaurant prepares the food BEFORE they open the doors for diners. A salad pre-prepard cannot be changed by removing elements of it for an individual diner. And the dressing is added in advance as well. As to ice cream desserts, also prepared ahead of time. This restaurant is unwilling to change or allow substitutions because they fear that if the public knows that the food is NOT freshly prepared they would lose business. Obviously, pouring the dressing into a cup as opposed to on top of the salad is easy and efficient, but not if the dishes are arranged with specific elements ahead of time.
Posted by: scfern | June 02, 2011 at 02:30 PM
It's the hidden art form of GUEST SERVICE! There are so many restaurants that are so arrogant. They need to remember that it's the GUESTS that that pay their bills, salaries and rent. In a tough economy people will weed out the impostors, will go to places that don't treat them like crap and where the chefs think they are god. Being in the business for over 18 years success comes with 1) having a great product 2) Service wins the Market
Posted by: April | June 02, 2011 at 02:18 PM
The Menu clearly states "Changes and Modifications politely declined"
what part of that doesn't Victoria Beckham understand???????????????????
If that is not suitable get up and leave.. you are in a free country..
why all this fuss?
Posted by: Maureen | June 02, 2011 at 02:09 PM
hahahaha this is why i should totally refrain from making comments...i should have read the article properly - "changes and modifications politely declined"...! Whatever though Gjelina, much as I have enjoyed many lovely evenings with you, it is a tad pretentious.
Posted by: Frankie Mac | June 02, 2011 at 01:56 PM
Well done... Not because of the substitution policy but for applying it to ALL their customers. I think it's a stupid policy but it would be stupider if it apply to some customers and not all. Some people have to simply understand that they cannot get everything they want in the world.
Posted by: Fabricio | June 02, 2011 at 01:46 PM
It should say no modifications - no substitutions infers that you might ask to substitute one thing for another.
Posted by: Frankie Mac | June 02, 2011 at 01:45 PM
I think if this happened to someone lovable instead of Victoria Beckham and Gordon Ramsay things would be different.
Posted by: mattatouille | June 02, 2011 at 01:22 PM
I love the food at Gjelina and I fully support their no substitutions rule. If diners have an issue with that, there are always other restaurants to choose from, including Burger King.
Gjelina is always busy and doesn't need to put up with fussy and high maintenance customers. Same thing with Father's Office and Lukshon - both which are busy and don't allow substitutions either.
I wish more restaurants instituted the No Substitutions Rule.
Posted by: rjhemedes | June 02, 2011 at 01:18 PM
Very classy. Not.
Posted by: Coriolana | June 02, 2011 at 01:13 PM
I am getting very tired of this "no substitutions" policy that seems to be all the rage right now. I experienced it at Ammo recently, when I wanted to change the flavor of an ice cream from A to B as part of a dessert and it was refused. It is really pretty ridiculous, particular in a restaurant where I am spending significant amounts of money for a meal. And when the request is simply to put a dressing on the side, it is atrocious.
Posted by: TomR | June 02, 2011 at 01:07 PM
I love Gjelina. No secret they do not do substitutions; something whiny celebs would have to already know by just hearing about the place. It is a good policy especially considering that the place is jamming from the second it opens its doors to the second it closes. Substitutions are a pain in the ass. If Slosh wanted a simple meal she could have had her private chef prepare it. As for Ramsey, he's an ass. I have never once been treated poorly there. I've been countless times and the food is amazing. And it's not that expensive.
Posted by: Anita | June 02, 2011 at 12:41 PM